THE GREAT CHRISTMAS MYSTERY

When I was growing up, my friends would make long lists for “Santa” of what they wanted for Christmas. But I always knew Santa wasn’t real. My parents had made that very clear from the time I was young. So in our family, my brothers and I looked for creative ways to be “Santa” by buying or making gifts for each other. We spent coins earned from raking leaves or mowing lawns on Calvin and Hobbes or TinTin comic books, Matchbox cars, and Lego sets at garage sales and thrift stores, then wrapped them up excitedly and put them under the tree.

Ding-Dong! The doorbell rang sharply on Christmas Eve.My brother opened the door, then called to the rest of us to come quickly. We all crowded in the doorway, staring in disbelief. There was no one there. But on the ground were bags of groceries, including a huge turkey for Christmas dinner, and wrapped packages for each of us!

Upon opening the gifts, we found toys and clothes for baby Daniel, wooden blocks for three-year-old Michael, a microscope set for seven-year-old Stephen, and a sweater with pink and purple hearts for me – exactly my size!